Obama bypassed Republicans in Congress in issuing an executive order on November 20 that would defer the deportation of parents of children who are either U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents. He also expanded protection to include children who enter the United States illegally with their parents.

Auxiliary Bishop Eusebio Elizondo of Seattle, chairman of the U.S. bishops' committee on migration, said the church welcomed the move that would "protect individuals and protect and reunite families and vulnerable children."

"We've been on record asking the Administration to do everything within its legitimate authority to bring relief and justice to our immigrant brothers and sisters," the bishop said in a statement.

Bishop Elizondo had written Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson in September, urging the adminstration to defer deportations of immigrants with strong community ties and had lived in the United States for 10 years or longer, those with approved family and employment petitions and parents of children who are U.S. citizens.

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